Hi Everyone,
Love Music? why not join the Glasshouse Muso Club.
We have the Musos Club coming up next Thursday October 25 at Beerwah RSL, and it is a theme night – Songs that changed the world! Come along and sing us songs that reflect this theme for you. Was Redgum’s I was only 19, or Dylan’s The times they are a changing one of them, or perhaps Paul Kelly’s From little things big things grow or Helen Reddy’s I am woman*? Performers and lovers of song are welcome to join us for this special night.
The theme was inspired by a program with a title similar to this which appeared on Radio National recently. It discussed the role that popular music played in the 60s, heralding the dramatic changes taking place in western society at the time. Songs mentioned include those of Dylan and the Kinks’ “Well respected man”, the Rolling Stones’ “Under my thumb” and songs from the Who amongst others. I’m sure we could come up with our own list, and not just from the 60’s. Yours might even include songs that changed your world!
As always “theme nights” are treated very loosely and we welcome anyone to get up and do their own thing – and yes, I am sure that song you have just written might just change the world! Give it it’s first airing with us.
Cheers
Michael
*I mention Helen Reddy’s I am woman, as it was a song that provided a voice for many woman at the time. Here is an excerpt from Wikipedia on that very song:
Reddy’s stardom was consolidated when her single “I Am Woman” reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in December 1972. The song was co-written by Reddy with Ray Burton; Reddy has attributed the impetus for writing “I Am Woman” and her early awareness of the women’s movement to expatriate Australian rock critic and pioneer feminist Lillian Roxon. Reddy is quoted in Fred Bronson’s The Billboard Book of Number One Hits as saying that she was looking for songs to record which reflected the positive self-image she had gained from joining the women’s movement, but could not find any, so “I realized that the song I was looking for didn’t exist, and I was going to have to write it myself. “I Am Woman” was recorded and released in May 1972. but barely dented the charts in its initial release. However, female listeners soon adopted the song as an anthem and began requesting it from their local radio stations in droves, resulting in its September chart re-entry and eventual #1 hit status. “I Am Woman” earned a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance; at the awards ceremony, Reddy concluded her acceptance speech by famously thanking God “because She makes everything possible”. The success of “I am Woman” made Reddy the first native of Australia to top the US charts and also to win a Grammy.
The Glasshouse Mountains Musicians Club – 25 October, 2012
It was a good night this last Thursday at the Beerwah RSL with 9 acts appearing for the Musos club. With the theme “Songs that changed your world” everyone provided their own twist – Grandmaster Andy even assuring us that on considering the task, four of his own songs was what he was left with! Andy enthralled us with his performance which appeared almost as much Maori Haka as solo singer with guitar. Andy has facial gestures to die for, and is certainly worth catching for his on stage presence as much as his soulful, emotion-clad songs. The general consensus was that his Telephone song was the hit of the night. Another very strong performance came from Peter Gawith who had carefully considered the songs and singers of the 60s that inspired him as an adolescent. His performance of Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On was probably the evening highlight for me, and his version of My Generation was a surprise – I don’t think anyone else could have come up with that interpretation of that song! Other evening highlights included our regular bassist Doug Sohi playing Puff the Magic Dragon on his new 12 string guitar, and mentioning the discovery of Johnny O’Keefe’s version of Shakin’ All Over upon newly arriving in Australia from Scotland in the 60s. A committed performance – reminiscent of Janis Joplin, came from Ajay with her soulful interpretations of Gloria and Red House. Accompanying hot licks from Paul Fagan on his Stratocaster suited her reading “to a t”! One Small Step (Jon and Glenn) assumed their typically high standard with assured playing and exquisite harmonies in songs such as Change the World, Don’t Worry be Happy and Lean on Me. Other performers included an un-plugged Paul Fagan who I joined for a version of I’ve Got a Name, and People Get Ready – a classic of the American Civil Right Movement of the 60s. Mick Od – the evening’s recipient of the Most Award, for his commitment to writing and playing, performed Father and Son and his partner Judy joined him on stage along with Pam Moroney for These Boots are made for Walkin. It’s great to see newcomers get up, especially as Judy has been sitting quietly in the wings for a year now! We hope to see more of her on stage in the future.
Michael